Brighton in talks to sign ‘extraordinary’ £30m Mourinho fave alongside Leeds’ Rutter.
Brighton and Hove Albion continue to hold talks over a deal for Fenerbahce’s Turkey international Ferdi Kadioglu but Jose Mourinho’s side are demanding £30 million from the Premier League outfit.
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One of the breakout talents of this summer’s European Championships, the Dutch-born full-back has been linked with a move to England throughout the last few months.
Manchester United have been mentioned regularly in the Turkish press.
HITC, meanwhile, can confirm that Ferdi Kadioglu was watched by Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 2023/24 campaign, Fenerbahce finishing second behind Galatasaray despite accumulating 99 points and losing only once.
It is Brighton and Hove Albion, however, who are in pole position these days.
HITC have been told that Fabian Hurzeler’s side remain locked in talks with Fenerbahce. Seagulls sources insist that no deal has been agreed just yet, however, with the Istanbul giants holding out for around £30 million.
Though personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
Ferdi Kadioglu (7) of Fenerbahce celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa Conference League group H week 6 football match between Fen…
Photo by Ali Atmaca/Anadolu via Getty Images
Brighton and Hove Albion in Ferdi Kadioglu discussions
Two-footed and versatile, the swashbuckling Kadioglu is capable of thriving on both flanks even if his star turn for Turkey at the Euros came on the left.
With both Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey unavailable for Brighton ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener away at Everton, Kadioglu would provide competition and cover on both the right and the left-hand side.
And should Fener agree a deal, that would not go down at all well with their ever-outspoken head coach.
Jose Mourinho is a big fan of Fenerbahce flyer
Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham and Real Madrid boss, is never afraid to speak his mind and he spelled out just how desperate he is for Kadioglu to stay earlier this week.
“My opinion is that there is a lot of talk about everything,” Mourinho tells BeIN Sports. “If you get too caught up in these rumours, it will cause you trouble.
“Teams that want to achieve something should develop their squads and not lose their best players. I want Ferdi to stay, but it is a matter above me.
“He is a great professional and a very good kid. He is training very well. I hope he stays in the team.”
Kadioglu, to quote Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella, is an ‘extraordinary’ player who ‘would be useful to any big club’.
Should Brighton get their man, the former NEC Nijgemen starlet would take The Seagulls summer spending to within the region of £150 million. Hurzeler’s team have already brought in Ibrahim Osman, Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer and new £25 million attacker Brajan Gruda for considerable sums.
“We’re delighted to bring Brajan to the club,” technical director David Weir told the Brighton website after agreeing terms with Mainz. “He’s a player we have been tracking for a while and he’s already played at a really good level in the Bundesliga.
“He is a player Fabian knows well and is really looking forward to working with.”
HITC also understands that Brighton are triggering the £40 million release clause in Georginio Rutter’s Leeds United contract.
